Category Archives: Europe

Fore Edge Fridays

Posted on May 7, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

For the first Fore Edge Friday of the year, we have two volumes of the fifth edition of English writer and moralist Hannah More’s, Hints Towards Forming the Character of a Young Princess, printed in London for Thomas Cadell and William Davies in 1819. … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Not a bridge too far

Posted on May 5, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

The world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge has opened up high above the River Paiva in Arouca, Portugal. The bridge stretches for an incredible 516 meters (1,693 feet) across at an elevation of 175 meters (574 feet), offering picturesque views of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Canada, Europe, Tourism | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Why a Duck

Posted on May 2, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I first discovered the dreamy near Surrealist paintings of the Belgian artist Paul Delvaux at the Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique in Brussels many decades ago. I was particularly drawn to his works on trains and train stations. Delvaux was … Continue reading →

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Dawn Days of May

Posted on May 1, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

A year ago, in May 2020,the UK has been in lockdown for over a month leaving many people feeling isolated and anxious. Photographer Nick Pumphrey turned to the place where he where he felt safest — the sea. Every day for … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Film, Photography | Tagged | 1 Comment

all and sundry Sunday

Posted on April 25, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

In reading a novel, any novel, we have to know perfectly well that the whole thing is nonsense, and then, while reading, believe every word of it. Finally, when we’re done with it, we may find – if it’s a … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Books, Europe, Museums, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Divine Comedy

Posted on April 24, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

In anticipation of the 700th anniversary of the death of Dante Alighieri, Brooklyn artist George Cochrane has worked on a contemporary illuminated manuscript of Dante’s Divine Comedy—all 350,000 characters of the epic poem, plus illustrations, in the original Italian for nearly seven … Continue reading →

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When In Rome

Posted on April 21, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I’ve been thinking quite a bit about Rome over the last few days because of the news that a new archeological site will be opening in the coming year in the heart of the Eternal City. If you haven’t heard, … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Travel, Architecture, Art, Europe, Film, History, Museums, Photography, Tourism | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Ghost Words

Posted on April 20, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

What does palimpsest mean? 1 : writing material (such as a parchment or tablet) used one or more times after earlier writing has been erased. 2 : something having usually diverse layers or aspects apparent beneath the surface.   One … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Asia, Books, Europe, History, Libraries, Middle East, Museums, Tech, Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Climate Crisis

Posted on April 17, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Finland’s Helsingin Sanomat newspaper has created a free and downloadable variable font that aims to make the urgency of climate change tangible by mirroring the declining amount of Arctic sea ice in its disappearing letterforms. While a regular typeface has … Continue reading →

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On the Fiery Edge of Oblivion

Posted on April 15, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Just when I managed to pull myself away from obsessively checking in on the Fagradalsfjall volcanic eruption in Iceland, the local band Kaleo released this astonishing music video. The performance video for Skinny was filmed live during a volcanic eruption … Continue reading →

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